Final answer:
The narrator's mother in "Us and Them" prompts him to self-reflect and empathize with others. Cooley's 'looking-glass self' concept and societal perceptions of 'us' versus 'them' underscore the theme of self-awareness influenced by external feedback and stereotypes.
Step-by-step explanation:
In "Us and Them," the narrator's mother suggests he should "take a good look at himself" to encourage self-reflection and awareness of others' perspectives. This moment signals the importance of empathy and understanding in human relationships. The text offers various instances where characters experience introspection and growth. For example, the speaker in the excerpt reflects on his potential for strength and kindness, realizing the transformative power of envisioning oneself positively. In another piece, Dunn's speaker discovers commonalities with perceived enemies, indicating beauty's universal appeal, which transcends context.
Additionally, the idea of self-awareness and its relation to others is echoed in Charles Herbert Cooley's concept of the 'looking-glass self,' where we perceive ourselves through others' reactions. This interaction shapes our self-image and behaviors to align with social standards. Lastly, the passage referring to the gaze in photography illuminates how societal perceptions, including primitivist stereotypes, can influence the way we see 'us' versus 'them,' further emphasizing the impact of external views on our self-conception.